Anodizing is a surface treatment method that produces a thin film with a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 150 µm. The thin film enhances the corrosion resistance, wear resistance, strength, and surface hardness of non-ferrous materials like aluminum.
The anodized layer or oxide layer is formed electrolytically. It differs from conventional electroplating, which deposits another metal on the substrate. Instead, anodizing creates a thin coat that is a part of the metal surface.
When anodizing parts, the anodized layer thickness can increase over time due to further oxidation. The type of anodizing, like Type I, Type II, and Type III, also produces different thicknesses.